I do think things would be better off in someone's house (a chance of their actually being used) or in a charitable organization's thrift store (a chance of their making money for the organization) than in a landfill.

I do, too. It's when I run into obstacles getting it into someone's house or store that I realize what's happening is it's staying in my house indefinitely, where it's arguably not much better off. :-/ How long should it stay here before I cut my losses (its losses?) and pitch or recycle it? Two months? Fifteen years? It's a tradeoff between my conscience and, sometimes, getting anything done at all. I wish the author addressed this more.

Yep, it's an errand. But if I took the time to buy the stuff, I don't see why I can't take the time to get rid of it.

I agree on that. Heck, I'd be immensely pleased if I could shop as easily as I can drop things at Goodwill.